In response to the article “Students purchase donuts from the PTSO, Ms. Jennifer Bilsky, MHS PTO President, sent the following letter:

I would like to address the article written by Carme Ferreira concerning the misinformation she has reported about PTSO donut sales. I realize this is an opinion piece but the article shows the PTSO and the administration in a negative light.

If she were to look into the donut sales she would find that exemptions for non healthy foods are allowed in the schools and must be approved by FCBOE, which the PTSO did get prior approval for.  Here is the information we received from FCBOE;

The standards provide a special exemption for infrequent fundraisers that do not meet the nutrition standards. Each state set limits. Georgia has set a maximum of thirty (30) exempt fundraisers, per school, per school year, lasting no more than three days, to be allowed for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program in Georgia. Fundraisers may not operate 30 minutes prior to meal service, as well as 30 minutes after meal service, anywhere on the school campus. As a reminder, items requested for exemptions do not require approval.

Many students came up to the donut sales and inquired about the selling of non healthy food and we were to happy to share the exemption rule with them.  I wish Ms. Ferreira would of asked us for the information as well.

I would like to see the correct information given in the trail soon.  I will be happy to provide all the information you will need.

Thank you for addressing this matter.

Jennifer Bilsky

MHS PTSO President